The Unique Connection Between AA and Handsome Lake

Is there a connection between AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and Handsome Lake, the famous spiritual leader of the Seneca tribe? The answer is: quite possibly. The Code of Handsome Lake tells the story of how Handsome Lake, a religious leader and prophet, was an alcoholic. In fact, he found himself on the brink of death from health-related conditions associated with alcoholism. It was then that he had a vision, three visions to be precise. He also said that he had been visited by the spirits of John the Baptist, as well as several disciples of Jesus.

These visions in 1799 led Handsome Lake to realize what was happening to him and his people. The visions saved Handsome Lake’s life. The white man’s “fire water” had taken over the Seneca and Iroquois tribes. It wasn’t just those two tribes; the fire water reached all the Native American tribes with its influence.

From the days when European settlers first landed, Native American tribesmen essentially had to find a way to coexist with foreigners who came and stayed. They traded furs and jewelry, among other items. They traded their land for things the “white man” could offer, such as weapons (which facilitated hunting but also killing), cloth, different kinds of food, and alcohol, just to name a few. They sold some of their land to settlers; part of their land the settlers took.

It was difficult for the Native Americans when they began to lose their lands. . . and his culture. The alcohol they consumed was a poison to them as they gradually sank into despair and hopelessness over their situation. The visions of Handsome Lake taught them to return to their traditional beliefs, which for a time seemed lost, while incorporating the good in Christian beliefs that the settlers also brought with them. With Handsome Lake’s guidance and teachings, the Iroquois and other Native American tribes began to recover from their losses. The Handsome Lake initiative taught a lesson in learning to live with the realities, in the best possible way, of your situation.

The connection between AA and Handsome Lake is spiritual. AA started, in its early stages, with a group of people called The Oxford Group. It was a Christian affiliation association led by a Christian missionary, Dr. Frank Buchman. Some of the principles defended were: 1) the need to share your “sin” or problem with a fellow citizen who has experienced the same problem; that sharing would help; 2) accept their sin and make amends for any harm done; 3) have quiet time to listen to God’s guidance; and 4) surrender your past life to God’s will.

However, after a while, The Oxford Group began to move in a different direction, a political direction, even embracing Adolph Hitler.

In 1935, two men, Mr. William (Bill) Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, co-founded AA today because they found the answers and help they needed in seeking spiritual guidance. A friend of Bill Wilson’s, Mr. Ebby Thacher, Bill’s former drinking buddy, became a member of The Oxford Group. When the group began to deviate from its original mission, Bill and Bob began their own program to help other alcoholics recover from the debilitating effects of the disease. The show gradually spread by word of mouth and in 2001 included more than two million members.

Both Handsome Lake and AA taught principles based on spirituality and religion. Look at God; look for a “higher” divine source as the foundation on which to build your way out of the evils of alcoholism.

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